Relating to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission; declaring an emergency.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Emily McIntire and 1 co-sponsor

Authorizes a one-time $250,000 General Revenue appropriation to IDOT to pilot a bus link for Aurora-area NIU students to the DeKalb campus.

In committee upon adjournment.

Main purpose

HB 3504 would appropriate $250,000 from the Illinois General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to establish a pilot transportation program connecting Northern Illinois University (NIU) students living in the Aurora area to the NIU campus in DeKalb (often referenced as an Aurora–DeKalb bus program). The intent is to fund a pilot service to improve access for Aurora‑area students attending NIU.

Key provisions

Appropriation: $250,000 (or so much as may be necessary) is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to IDOT.

Use: Funds are designated for establishing a pilot program that connects NIU students from the Aurora area to Northern Illinois University.

Administration: The appropriation is made to the Department of Transportation (IDOT); the bill does not specify operating agency, contracting details, eligibility criteria, duration, or performance measures.

Effective date: The bill text states the Act takes effect July 1, 2025. (A synopsis line in the introduced version references July 1, 2026; the bill’s Section 99 sets July 1, 2025.)

Who is affected

Primary beneficiaries: NIU students who live in the Aurora area and require transportation to the DeKalb campus.

Implementing agency: Illinois Department of Transportation (responsible for establishing the pilot).

NIU and local/regional transit providers: may be partners, contractors, or service providers for the pilot (not specified in the bill).

State budget: $250,000 expenditure from the General Revenue Fund.

Potential impact and considerations

Positive effects: Could reduce transportation barriers for Aurora‑area students, increase campus access and retention, and test a model for regional student transit.

Unspecified elements: The bill does not define pilot duration, operating schedule, ridership eligibility, procurement process, performance metrics, or whether funds cover capital, operating subsidies, or both.

Fiscal impact: Direct one‑time appropriation of $250,000; further costs or ongoing subsidies would depend on implementation decisions.

Legislative progress and timeline

First reading: 2025‑02‑18 (introduced by Rep. Kifowit)

Referred to Rules and subsequently to Appropriations‑Public Safety & Infrastructure; to Fiscal Impact Subcommittee; referred to Ways & Means

Public hearing: 2025‑04‑21 (testimony recorded)

Committee substitute considered and reported favorably as substituted: 2025‑05‑07

Placed on the General State Calendar: 2025‑05‑14

Status as of 2025‑07‑01: Rule 19(b) — re‑referred to the Rules Committee

Implementation questions for policymakers

Who will operate the service (IDOT, NIU, regional transit agency, or private contractor)?

What is the pilot’s duration, expected operating schedule, and target ridership?

How will success be measured (ridership, cost per rider, retention/attendance metrics)?

Will any local matching funds or ongoing state support be required after the pilot?

This bill authorizes a modest, targeted appropriation to test a student transit connection between Aurora and NIU but leaves implementation details to the administering agency and subsequent program design.

Bill